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How to Say "gauge" in Spanish

English → Spanish

calibre

/kah-LEE-bray//kaˈli.βɾe/

nounB1general
Use 'calibre' when referring to the diameter of a bullet, wire, pipe, or the thickness of a material.
A close-up illustration of a single metallic bullet resting horizontally. A simplified, stylized measuring caliper is positioned around the bullet, clearly indicating its diameter.

Examples

La policía encontró balas de calibre nueve milímetros.

The police found nine-millimeter caliber bullets.

Necesitamos un cable de calibre más grueso para esta instalación eléctrica.

We need a thicker gauge wire for this electrical installation.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in '-e', 'calibre' is always a masculine noun, so use 'el' or 'un' before it.

medida

meh-DEE-dah/meˈðiða/

nounA1general
Use 'medida' when referring to a standard quantity, a measurement taken, or a dimension needed for something like fitting furniture.
A hand holding a yellow tape measure stretched out next to a simple wooden block on a tabletop, indicating its length.

Examples

Necesito tomar las medidas exactas antes de comprar el sofá.

I need to take the exact measurements before buying the sofa.

¿Cuál es la medida de la piscina?

What is the size of the pool?

La costurera me tomó la medida de la cintura.

The seamstress took my waist measurement.

Gender Rule

As a feminine word, 'medida' always uses feminine words before it, like 'la' or 'una'.

Calibre vs. Medida

Learners often confuse 'calibre' and 'medida' by using 'calibre' for any measurement. Remember that 'calibre' specifically refers to diameter or thickness, while 'medida' is a more general term for any measurement or dimension.

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